Forest group protest cut down
A standing committee will take no action to stop the logging of Mowen Forest, in a disappointing outcome for Margaret River environment groups.
The Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs told the Save Mowen Forest group last Friday their petition to stop ongoing WA Government logging would not be investigated any further.
The 1500-strong petition was presented to Parliament in November last year amid protests as well as a public campaign to end the logging.
The forest group claimed the logging was environmentally harmful and financially unsustainable, and made repeated calls to Forestry Minister Mia Davies to scrap the plans.
The petition was also accepted by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.
Save Mowen Forest spokeswoman Naomi Godden said the committee only consulted the Forestry Minister about the petition and did not fully consider the group's concerns.
"The committee and minister have attempted to minimise widespread community concern about the logging of Mowen Forest," Ms Godden said.
"Save Mowen Forest is disturbed that the committee and minister have not fully considered current scientific evidence on rainfall and climate change, and particularly financial evidence highlighting the unsustainability of native forest logging in the South West."
Margaret River Greens convenor Alistair Spong said Regional Development Minister Terry Redman and South West MLC Barry House should "stand up to the Forestry Minister" on the issue.
Ms Davies said the logging included detailed planning and preparation under a 2014-24 forest management plan.
She said South West timber harvesting was sustainable and benefited local communities.
The Forest Products Commission previously said logging plans would resume late this year or early 2016.
